Despite the servant’s reputation for what bordered on slavish devotion to the nobleman, he was not immune to occasional bouts of ___________ regarding his master’s needs.
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Solution
(D. nonchalance, E. insouciance)
The word despite indicates a shift, so if the servant has a reputation for slavish (excessive) devotion, then it is logical to use nonchalance (indifference) or insouciance (unconcern).
Never known for deigning to explain himself, the editor rejected any submissions that he deemed lacking in a certain quality, a quality that he refused to___________.
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Solution
(A. explicate, E. elucidate)
If the editor is not known for deigning (stooping) to explain himself, it would make sense that he would refuse to explicate (explain) or elucidate (clarify).
When viewed by itself, the artist’s sculpture held little meaning, but when it was placed in the garden in___________with his other work, it gracefully added to the scope of the installation.
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Solution
(B. concert, D. conjunction)
Using the word but as a clue to the sentence’s shift, the blank needs a word that means the opposite of “viewed by itself.” Concert (simultaneous agreement) or conjunction (combination) create the necessary opposition
Never a master of political intrigue, the senator was often chastised for his heavy-handed approach, which sharply contrasted with his opponent’s___________.
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Solution
(A. craft, C. caginess)
The senator’s heavy-handed (clumsy) approach contrasts with his opponents’, so his opponent must have craft (skill) or caginess (cleverness).
The novel, once widely banned for what was thought of as ___________subject matter, is now accepted and even celebrated for the passages that contain salacious details about a love affair.
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Solution
(A. unwholesome, C. prurient)
If the novel was previously banned for the salacious (sexually appealing) passages, then it would be logical to say those passages were thought of as unwholesome or prurient (arousing unwholesome desire).
Since the compound called ATP is essential in allowing cells to create energy, it follows that its production is ___________ component to cellular function.
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Solution
(A. a prerequisite, E. an indispensable)
Since ATP is essential for cellular energy, it makes sense that its production is a prerequisite (required) or an indispensable (necessary) component.
The first advocates of electrically powered vehicles were so ___________in their praise that they failed to anticipate what were, in retrospect, obvious consequences of battery disposal.
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Solution
(D. immoderate, F. effusive)
If the advocates did not anticipate “obvious consequences,” then their praise must have been excessive, so immoderate (without moderation) and effusive (gushing) are appropriate choices.
The king’s advisor, though lately reviled for his fawning behavior, was, in the past, criticized for his___________manner.
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Solution
(B. imperious, D. domineering)
The word though creates a shift from the fact that the advisor was recently reviled
(hated) for his fawning (trying to gain favor through flattery) behavior. Imperious (commanding) and domineering (controlling) create the necessary shift.